Improvement in lightning-rods



G. STEARNS. JOINTLESS SHEET METAL LIGHTNING ROD.

N0. 65,7'75. Patented June 11, 1867.

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crank, the strip metal is passed through and uniformly corrugated and twisted, as seen at figs.

CHARLES STEARNS, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO JACOB A. KISSELL, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, WHO ASSIGNS HALF OF HIS RIGHT TO NATHAN BLIOKENSDER- FER, OF ERIE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Letters Patent No. 65,775, dated June 11, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN LIGHTNING-RODS.

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

Be it known that I, CHARLES STE ARNS, of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Jointless or Solidly Continuous Sheet-Metal Lightning-Rod; and I hereby declare that the following specification, in connection with the accompanying drawings, constitutes a lucid. clear, and exact description ofthc same In rei'erring'to said dr'awings Figure 1 denotes a side view of the coil of sheet metal ready for being formed.

Figure 2, an edge view of the same.

Figure 3, an exterior view of my rod after being shaped.

Figure 4, an end view of it.

Invention: The nature of my invention consists in a. solidly continuous sheet-metal or copper lightningwod, having great inherent strength, and which is corrugated and UYIStJl, or otherwise formed or shaped, to readily catch the electric fluid by its varying and projecting edges, and to embody sufiicient stability and strength for erection and permanent support,and at the some time be susceptible of being bent; to conform to the incquali ties and-shapes of the structure without impairing the appearance, strength, or effect of the rod, and at the same time not requiring a, single joint in it for the whole structure.

Construction: To enable others skilled in the art-to which my invention appertn-ins to construct and carry out the some, I will describe it as follows: i

I prefer sheet copper to other metal, by reason of its chcnpness, great ductility, and density, and its great susceptibility of readily receiving and safely conveying away large volumes of the electric fluid or current. The object attained by the solid continuity of the rod is a perfect conductor, by hitving no breaks or joints in which the electricity will be liable to jump in traversing it, and also in its great strength and convenience of erection. The shape must be givcnithe red at the place oi erection, as it cnnnot be transported after being shaped. The sheet copper is first rolled of great length,- and of the desired thickness and width, and coiled into rolls, seen at figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, which are easy to transport to any place for erecting my rod, as also the machine which I have invented and now use for co rrugating and twisting the rod, which consists of corrugating and twisting rollers so combined that by entering the outer end of the coil or" strip copper and turning a- .LlHi 4 of the drawing. When a sufficient length of it has been shaped, it is out o?! with shears, and is then ready for erection on the structure in one continuous piece from end to end', and may be secured thereto by any good insulators, the top, of course, projecting abovev the highest point of the huilding, a-nd the lower end reaching to dampness in the earth below the building. By giving the within-described shape to the rod, it is impossible for the light ning to strike the rod without coming directly in contact with the edges o the sheet metal, continuous the entire length of the rod.

which are doubly Various curves or shapes may be uiven the rod, but theccorrugated and twisted shape I deem preterable to any other.

The chcapness of my red and of its application is obvious, from avoiding all joints and splices and contrivanccs for that purpose in the old rods. But the most prominent feature is in the great conducting power of the rod, and the additional safety thereby guaranteed to life and property, and without additional expense,

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A lightning-rod or conductor, consisting of :t solidly continuous strip of sheetmctal, s ibstantially as described.

CHAS. STEARNS.

Witnesses;

E. W. SCOTT, M. A. SCOTT. 

